An Atlanta dentist charged with fraudulently billing the government will pay nearly $325,000 as part of a settlement agreement and surrender his dental license, federal officials said.
Dennis Jaffe, 71, fraudulently billed Medicaid, the government health program for low-income Americans, for more expensive levels of service than he actually performed, according to a statement by the Department of Justice. Jaffe also billed for services performed by a dental assistant when he wasn’t present to supervise, which is illegal, the statement said.
“All patients should be entitled to the same level of care, and providers who choose to cut costs and increase profits by using unlicensed staff bring shame upon the entire profession and, more importantly, jeopardizes the safety of patients,” said Derrick Jackson, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in Atlanta.
The settlement resolves a whistle blower lawsuit brought against Jaffe. The dentist also pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from a health care benefit program in a separate federal criminal case and will serve one year of probation.
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